Sixteen Miles

Today I walked sixteen miles. I got up early, got dressed, and left all four kids in my mom's totally capable hands. Both babies were sobbing hysterically when I left. That about broke my heart.

I was all over the place mentally, so I put on my audiobook and tried to zone out. I walked from my house onto Bay Dale, down College Parkway to Route 2, up Route 2 to Fish Paws Deli, and then crossed over onto the Baltimore Annapolis Trail. I headed for downtown Annapolis.

My spirit was struggling. I felt/feel overwhelmed with all that is going on in my life. I constantly feel like I can't get anything done (or done well), like I'm treading water and getting nowhere.

That kind of mental attitude is not good for the walking mojo. Then something in my audiobook made me think about my babies. Two beautiful, healthy babies. Two living babies. I thought about what it felt like to hold them in my arms, to be on the receiving end of their slobbery kisses, how my heart does a little dance when they smile at me. I thought about how thankful I am to have them and how different things could've been for Caleb and I. Thankfulness washed over me, and the Lord renewed my spirit. I was back in the game.

I crossed over the Navy Bridge, basking the slight breeze, the smell of the water, and the warm sun on a chilly day. There's something about walking over a bridge that just means something, you know? I can't explain it, so I won't try.

From there, I walked downtown, past the Naval Academy and towards City Dock. When I saw the chalkboard sign at SugarBuns restaurant advertising a Monster BLT, I promptly decided it was lunch time. NOW. With a Coke, please.

After I demolished my BLT, I walked towards City Dock and was so surprised to see that it was Boat Show Week. I am so out of it.

I looped around downtown and then walked up Duke of Gloucester and West Street all the way Westgate Circle. Then I turned around and headed back down to City Dock again, trying to clock a few more miles.

After another loop around downtown, I headed up Rowe Boulevard, crossed under Highway 50, and kept walking on Bestgate towards Westfield Mall. A little before mile seventeen, my knight-in-shining-Camry swung by and picked me up.

I was supposed to walk twenty miles but I decided that sixteen was enough. I hadn't seen my kids all day, and I had a girls night out planned for the evening. I needed to go home and be with the kids for a bit between events, so I cut the walk short and headed home.

And, let me tell you what - those slobbery kisses made all the walking worthwhile.

Okay, friends! It's time for my typical closer, so I won't delay. Would you please consider donating to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer? It's really easy to do, and your donation makes such a difference. You can either click here to donate, or you can access the donation page via the Avon Walk link on the right side of this blog. Thanks so much!